Faculty & Staff

Chelo Beazley joins The Diener School as a Teaching Partner for the 2026–2027 school year. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Capella University and brings more than a decade of experience working with young children and families in inclusive early childhood settings. Chelo’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that meaningful relationships are the foundation for learning. Drawing from Reggio Emilia and Emergent Curriculum approaches, she creates responsive, relationship-centered classrooms where children feel safe, capable, and empowered to explore alongside their teachers. She values connection, curiosity, and co-learning, and is passionate about supporting neurodivergent learners through individualized, strengths-based practices.

She has completed professional training in Conscious Discipline, Zones of Regulation, and Orton-Gillingham. She plans to begin graduate studies in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in Spring 2027. She is excited to join the Diener community and partner with students, families, and colleagues to help every child thrive.

Jenni obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Pennsylvania State University in 2000 and completed her Master’s degree from Johns Hopkins in Early Intervention Special Education in 2009. Jenni joined The Diener School in 2009 and has held a variety of positions while at Diener including Elementary School teacher, Learning Skills specialist, and Director of the Lower School. She returned to the classroom in 2017 to work more directly with students and capitalize on her considerable skills as an educator. Jenni has been trained in The Character Education Virtues Project, Zones of Regulation, Social Thinking, Multi-sensory Math, Phono-Graphix, Read Naturally Fluency Program, and Orton-Gillingham.

Caroline is passionate about helping students become confident and capable learners through a trauma-informed lens, using collaborative and proactive problem-solving strategies. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Salisbury University and a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University. Caroline holds a Maryland Professional Teaching License in both Special Education and English. Prior to joining The Diener School, Caroline worked as a Special Education teacher with Montgomery County Public Schools, where she taught English and supported neurodivergent high schoolers in meeting their educational goals. Before transitioning into the field of education, she worked one-on-one with children and young adults, using values-based behavior change principles to help clients make meaningful progress toward goals that aligned with their personal values. She is delighted to be part of The Diener School community.

Amber joined Diener for the 2025-2026 school year. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College. Following her undergraduate studies, she was accepted into the NYC Teaching Fellows program, where she served as a special education teacher for three years, working in NYC public schools in the Bronx. During this program, Amber earned her Master’s degree in Teaching Adolescents with Disabilities from St. John’s University. In 2019, she returned to the DC area, where she served as a special education teacher and AP English Literature teacher at KIPP DC and DCPS. In addition to teaching, she has also served as a special education coordinator and transition coordinator for secondary students with disabilities. She has also mentored aspiring teachers through Teach for America. Amber loves watching her students grow into confident learners ready to lead choice-filled lives each school year.

Ryan received her BA in Art History from Scripps College in Claremont, CA, and her MSEd in Early Childhood General & Special Education from Bank Street College of Education in New York, NY. Ryan has been a classroom teacher since 2006 and a private tutor since 2020. She has formal training in Orton-Gillingham, Project Zero, and yoga and mindfulness for children. Ryan joined Diener in spring of 2025 and is thrilled to be part of the community!

Cyd Igot joined The Diener School in the 2022–2023 school year as a Teacher Partner and has since transitioned into a Lead Teacher role. She holds a B.A. in Behavioral and Social Sciences from the University of Maryland, with a major in Sociology and a minor in Women’s Studies. Cyd’s passion for working with children began through roles as a Kaplan tutor, an ESL teacher in Santiago, Chile, and a homeschool teacher for the Assisi Bridge School Co-op. She has also worked in mental health, supporting young people with persistent mental illness. Outside the classroom, Cyd is the founder of A Letter For You, a project sharing thousands of anonymous handwritten letters to uplift those going through hard times. She gave a TEDx Talk on the project in 2016 and published A Letter For You: A Collection of Handwritten Letters for Survivors in 2020. Cyd has also been involved in disaster relief efforts in the Philippines and remains committed to empowering others. In her free time, she enjoys salsa dancing, traveling, and finding ways to make a difference.

Katie received her Bachelor of Science in Sociology Based Human Relations from Connecticut College, and she holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching Reading and a Multiple Subjects teaching credential from the University of San Francisco. She has worked in both public and private schools in San Francisco, Charlottesville, and New York City. After taking some time off to stay home with her three sons, she returned to work part-time at Positive Development, where she worked one-on-one with children to help them develop communication, social, and daily living skills.

Kathy Koetz holds a Bachelor of Science in Adolescent English Education from Long Island University and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Lindenwood University. After graduation, she published a children’s book, Rosie’s Rescue Ranch, in 2019. While attending college in New York, Kathy gained valuable experience working at MercyFirst, a human and social service agency in the New York metropolitan area. She completed her student teaching at P256Q, a middle and high school program on the MercyFirst campus. She also volunteered to facilitate a therapeutic reading program for MercyFirst’s child psychologist. Kathy’s professional journey includes her current role as a middle school teacher at Diener School, where she began in the 2020-2021 school year, and her previous position teaching Special Education at The Lourie Center in Rockville, MD.

Jacob earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Washington College in 2023. Before joining The Diener School, he served as a teaching assistant at The White Clay School, where he worked with students with special needs. During his time there, he earned his DIR certification and taught math, science, and social studies in a DIR-based educational setting. Jacob is excited to begin his first year at The Diener School as a Teaching Partner and looks forward to contributing to and growing within this exceptional school community.

Kendra graduated from the University of Maryland with a double degree in Neuroscience and Child Psychology. She earned her Master’s in Leadership in Special Education from Notre Dame of Maryland University and is currently pursuing her second Master’s in Applied Behavioral Analysis from the University of Cincinnati. After undergrad, she spent a few years in Maui, Hawaii, conducting marine biology research on humpback whales and working as a naturalist. Upon returning to her home state of Maryland, Kendra began pursuing her career in education. She started as a lead preschool teacher before transitioning into an assistant upper elementary teacher at Butler Montessori. For several years, she taught high school special education at Sheppard Pratt. Kendra also works part-time as a registered behavior technician, bringing years of ABA experience and a passion for working with all age groups. This is Kendra’s third year teaching at The Diener School, where she teaches Middle School Language Arts and the entire Middle School Social Studies program. She is thrilled to continue being part of the Diener community.

Hadleigh graduated from Clemson University in the Spring of 2025, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in K-12 Multi-categorical Special Education. During her undergraduate studies, Hadleigh worked in the greater Clemson area in both resource and self-contained classrooms, with her favorite being a K-5 Positive Behavior Support classroom. While earning her degree, she worked with ClemsonLIFE, a postsecondary education program for adults with intellectual disabilities. Prior to working at Diener, Hadleigh taught Preschool Intervention in Charleston, South Carolina. She is passionate about inclusion, empowering learners, and building relationships with her students. Hadleigh is thrilled to be joining the Diener family!

Michelle joined The Diener School team in the fall of 2022. Prior to this, she co-led the second-grade class at The Maddux School and has been pursuing additional coursework toward a second Master’s degree in Special Education. Michelle holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern University. She is certified in the Handwriting Without Tears program as well as the Orton-Gillingham Reading and Writing Approach. With over 16 years of teaching experience, Michelle began her career in a nursery school setting before spending the past 14 years at The Maddux School. She has completed specialized training in The Maddux School’s Social Learning Curriculum and is recognized for her expertise in creative arts and curriculum integration.

Ms. Franny has been part of the Diener community since 2022. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education in Ohio and went on to receive her Master’s in Learning Disabilities from American University in Washington, DC, in 2020. Before joining Diener, she taught at an inclusive preschool. At Diener, she teaches Social Studies to elementary students and leads a small academic group. She is also known for supporting various classrooms throughout the day wherever an extra hand is needed. Ms. Franny is passionate about building strong relationships with students so they feel comfortable, confident, and excited to learn and try new things. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her dog Gouda, being outdoors, and exploring new places. Ms. Franny is also a current board member of the Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County. She also has extensive experience teaching all ages and abilities of swim lessons and helping children feel safe in the water, as well as providing both adaptive and non-adaptive ski instruction to children and adults.

Lucas received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2012 from Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, West Virginia. He began his teaching career in 2016 for Montgomery County Public Schools at Loiederman Middle School working with English language learners. He slowly extended his role and began assisting within the Special Education program at Loiederman after a few months. Lucas is also an experienced soccer coach and has trained with multiple teams of various age groups in the Metropolitan area. He currently works with former professional DC United legend, Luciano Emilio (Luciano Emilio Soccer Club). Lucas has been a Teaching Partner at The Diener School since February 2023.

Conor began teaching at The Diener School in 2025. In 2019, Conor earned his Master’s of Education from the University of Massachusetts Boston. He also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting. Prior to coming to Diener, Conor worked as a History and Humanities teacher at Dearborn Academy, an independent special education school serving students with OCD, anxiety, and executive functioning challenges. His combined educational background has led Conor to focus on inclusive, creative, and flexible approaches to learning centered on the whole child. Conor recently moved with his family to the DMV from the Boston area. He enjoys hiking, museums, and taking his kids to fun outdoor activities.

Angela has a B.S. from Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire and an M.A. from Ohio University. She is an 18-year veteran teacher with a background in special education. She has recently obtained her certification for ADHD coaching that will complement her background as an Executive Functioning Coach. Angela is new to the Bethesda area and has already enjoyed the summer by playing pickleball several days a week at the YMCA! She has a love for sports photography and travels everywhere to watch her son play lacrosse! He is a senior at DeMatha Catholic High School this year. Angela also enjoys music, scrapbooking, and being around the laughter of children! She is so very excited to be a part of the Diener School team!

Dani earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from Indiana University – Bloomington in 2019. Dani also completed a master’s degree program in Special Education-Autism Spectrum Disorder in December of 2023. She joined Diener in Fall 2019 as a Teaching Partner and is now a Lead Teacher. She has her teaching license in grades K-6 for general education and special education and is trained in the multi-sensory Orton-Gillingham phonics curriculum. She is excited to be returning to Diener for another great school year!

Emily earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Art from Wagner College and a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the College of Staten Island. Prior to joining the Diener School team, Emily completed field placements in New York at P.S. 57 and the Wagner College Early Childhood Center, private tutoring, and worked at a daycare where she did small group instruction with children with special needs. Emily’s background in the mental health field has given her great insight into childhood development and learning disorders, allowing her to readily recognize the unique needs of each child in the classroom and beyond. Emily is professionally certified to work with children with neurodevelopmental disorders. She has been a Teaching Partner at The Diener School since Fall 2024. Emily is excited to be returning to Diener for her third school year.

Hannah earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in Child and Family Psychology, along with minors in Biology, Sociology, and Women’s Studies, from Frostburg State University. During her undergraduate studies, she completed an internship with the YMCA Teen Parent Program, supporting early childhood development. After graduation, Hannah worked as a Registered Behavior Technician at Ally Behavior Centers and later as a Special Education Paraeducator with Montgomery County Public Schools. While working in the school system, she earned her Master of Science in Educational Psychology from Purdue University Global. Her background in both clinical and classroom settings has shaped her passion for supporting neurodiverse learners. Hannah is eager to get to know her students and to contribute to the Diener community.

Amanda Sickel earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from McDaniel College and holds two Master of Science degrees: one in Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and one in Special Education from McDaniel College. Prior to her teaching career, she provided one-on-one services to students in both school and clinic settings, supporting students with a wide range of learning and behavioral needs. She has spent many years in the classroom working with students in a variety of educational settings, most recently at The Auburn School, where she taught middle school math and science. This will be Amanda’s fourth year at The Diener School, where she teaches science to the entire middle school and leads a small academic math group. Amanda has training in executive functioning, multisensory math instruction, the Social Thinking Curriculum, and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI). She is excited to be returning to Diener for another fabulous school year!

Jennifer has a Master of Science in School Counseling from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Dickinson College. Prior to working at Diener, Jennifer worked for 5 years at Ivymount School and 16 years at The Maddux School. She has worked with Pre-K through 2nd-grade students and enjoys supporting students, families, and teachers wherever most needed. Jennifer began at the Diener School in Fall 2022.

Kanika received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Goucher College and completed her Master of Education in Special Education at the University of Maryland. She earned a Maryland Standard Professional Certificate (SPC I) in Generic Special Education (Grades 1–8) and Severe/Profound Disabilities (Birth–21 years old). Prior to joining The Diener School, Kanika taught at The Siena School, where she specialized in physical science, environmental science, and chemistry — while delivering highly targeted reading and English language interventions to students with language-based learning differences. Her instructional toolkit includes evidence-based practices such as Orton-Gillingham and Lindamood-Bell’s Visualizing and Verbalizing. Deeply passionate about holistic student growth, Kanika has extensive experience designing token-economy Positive Behavior Intervention Systems (PBIS), running social skills groups using Second Step and Should I or Shouldn’t I, and mentoring students in self-advocacy to achieve exceptional academic and behavioral milestones.

Natalie Vernigor joined the Diener team during the 2024–2025 school year and is now entering her third year in the community. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Special Education at Loyola University Maryland.

Natalie discovered her passion for teaching while working with Identity, Inc., a nonprofit organization supporting bilingual students with academic and social skill challenges. She later expanded her experience as a paraeducator at Mill Creek Towne Elementary with Montgomery County Public Schools, where she developed a strong foundation in individualized student support. Natalie is excited for the upcoming school year and looks forward to continuing to learn, grow, and contribute to the Diener community.

Chriselly earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in Health Humanities & Medicine, from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 2021. She began her career working with children at a Montgomery County learning center, where she developed a passion for supporting young learners.
Following graduation, Chriselly worked as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at Acorn Health of Maryland and Comprehensive Autism Partnership, providing individualized behavioral support to children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. She also gained valuable administrative experience as a Client Relations and Scheduling Coordinator, supporting psychological evaluations, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) intake services, and mental health providers.

Most recently, Chriselly served as a Dedicated Aide at Creative Minds International from 2024 to 2026, where she returned to her passion for working directly with students. She is excited to bring her clinical, educational, and behavioral health experience to the Diener community and is committed to fostering a supportive environment where every student can thrive.

Eva earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education from American University in 2026 after receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2024. During her undergraduate studies, she interned at The Diener School, where she discovered her passion for the Diener community and its commitment to helping every student thrive.

Eva is passionate about creating an inclusive, positive classroom where every child feels confident, supported, and excited to learn. She is looking forward to another great year at Diener.

Bernina is a professional Associate Teacher with over fifteen years of experience working in early childhood settings, including nine at The Maddux School. She has extensive experience tutoring and coaching vulnerable children and adults and has a particular passion for guiding the development of play and social skills in young children. Bernina holds a Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders from George Washington University and earned a Bachelor of Science in General Studies with a concentration in special education, education, and psychology from Liberty University.